Ring forming machine



J. JORGENSEN 226.7%

RING FORMING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

-.11. JORGENSEN 5 RING FORMING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1939 3 Sheets-Sfieet 2 IN VEN TOR. w/fi/s Q75rgemsere- ATTORNEY.

y J. JORGEN SEN v zwzwm RING FORMING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1939 s sheets-sheet 5 Q Z/i/S (/5219 ens e)? INVENTOR,

. Patented July 2, 1940 PATENT OFFICE RING FORMING MACHINE Julius Jorgensen, Detroit, Mich., assignor to F. L. McLaughlin, Detroit, Mich.

Application June 26, 1939, Serial No. 281,085

17 Claims.

This invention relates to ring forming machines and has for its primary object to provide a portable: machine having means for poising a hog ring to enable insertion thereof to the point of 5 use, having power actuated means for closing a ring so poised, and having means which automatically functions after closing of one ring to form another hog ring and to place it in a poised position.

Hog rings, or in other words, open ring-like Wire formations which might loosely be defined as shape, are placed over elements to be con nected together and are then bent to form a closed ring. They are used quite commonly in the spring industry, for example, to connect coil AC.- cording to the usual practice the hog ringsare springs together and to a marginal frame.

pre-formed by, a separate machine and are inserted, by hand, into a hog ring tool, which is then operated to close the ring-like formation. As a distinction over this present .day practice this invention has for its main object to provide a machine which automatically forms and poises a hog ring after each ring closing operation thereof. p

Due to the manner in which a hogring tool must be handled it is essential that it be of comparatively light weight and that it be very compact to enable use thereof in close quarters.

3 Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to construct and correlate the. power actuated mechanisms necessary to both close and form hog rings, in such manner that the machine is Very light in weight and of such compact nature that it may be readily handled to enable use of. the hog rings in very close quarters.

, Another object is to provide a machine in which the wire stock from which the hog rings areformed is fed in one end and the hog rings are poised at the other end, to thus enable pointingof the machine in the nature of a gunin inserting a poised hog ring to the point of use. In other words, greater convenience in handling the machine is obtained by poising the hog ring in .ing a manually controlled clutch for operating the 7 machine at will.

Another object is to provide a machine embodying means for feeding measured lengths of wire-like stock thereinto, and for severing the stock prior to each bending operation thereof. Inthisconnection, a more specific object is to provide clamping means for holding the stock against movement at the time the stock is severed and at all times except when the feeding means is operative.

Another object is to provide a pair of relatively movable power actuated jaws for bending a hog ring into closed form, and means automatically rendered operative after each bending operation for forming another hog ring and placing it in a poised position between the jaws. The forming means comprises a pivoted forming head about which thestock is bent, and is located between. the jaws so that formation of the new hog ring takes place between the jaws. In this respect another more specific object is to cause relative separation between the forming head and the completely formed hog ring, in order that by operation of. the movable jaws the hog ring may be bent into its. closed position.

Another object is to provide a machine embodying a feed disc for feeding a measured length of stock with each rotation thereof, and a manually operable. clutch for starting movement of the disc and for automatically stopping rotation thereof. During each rotation of the disc it first causes operation of the bending jaws to close a poised hog ring, secondly it feels a measured length of stock, thirdly it causes actuation of the stock severing means, it then causes actuation of the stock bending means to form a hog ring and, finally, it places the hog ring just formed in a poised position in readiness for the closing operation which is the first step in the next cycle.

Other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein my invention is illustrated, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine with the housing in section to expose the mechanism,

Fig. 2 is a plan view, with the housing similarly broken away,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the stock severing mechanism, illustrating its position at the completion of the severing operation,

. Fig. 4 is a fragmental section illustrating the coacting cutters of the stock severing means,

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the forming mechanism, illustrating its position immediately prior to the start of the forming operation,

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. ,5, and illustrates the 1 tion where the hog ring has just been formed,

Fig. 11 is an end section corresponding to Fig. 10, but showing the forming headwhich is omitted from Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the jaws, illustrating the first step in the operation thereof during which the upper jaw moves the upper end of the I hog ring off the forming head,

Fig. 13 is an end section, corresponding to Fig. 12, but showing the forming head which is omitted from Fig. 12,

Fig.14 is an end section showing the forming head in a position separated from the hog ring,

Fig. 15 is an elevation of the bending jaws, illustrating the ring closing position thereof,

Fig. 16 is a detail of the control clutch, and

Fig. 17 is a cross-section of the control clutch.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, I designates a supporting member comprising a plate of fairly heavy stock having a sheet metal enclosing housing 2 suitably mounted thereon. The housing 2 is so shaped that it may be conveniently grasped in the hand of an operator in order that the hog rings formed and poised as hereinafter described may be conveniently inserted to the place of use.

Stock feeding and severing means (Figs. 1 to 4) The stock feeding and severing means is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and comprises a disc 3 rotatably mounted on the supporting member I. The disc 3 has a circumferentially grooved portion. 4 of greater diameter than the remainder of the disc, and constituting a stock feeding means.

Pivot'ally mounted at 5 on the supporting member I is an arm. 6 having a roller 7 mounted thereon and a spring 8 acting on the outer end of the arm to bias upward movement thereof. Wire-like stock 9 passes between the disc 3 and the roller l, and when the grooved portion 4 of the disc 3 contacts the stock the latter is advanceda distance equal to the length of the portion 4. It is apparent, therefore, that with each rotation of the disc 3 the stock 3 is advanced a measured amount.

When the high portion 4 of the disc 3 contacts the stock it presses the latter downwardly against the roller 1, and therolle'r '1 causes the arm. 6 to swing downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 1. The arm 3 has a stock engaging portion II] which normally presses the stock against a'serrated jaw II, fixed on the supporting member I, to hold the stock against accidental movement. When the arm 6 is swung downwardly, as above described, the stock may pass freely between the engaging portion I0 and the jaw Mounted in the supporting member for rotative movement is an element l2 having a cutting: edge |3 normally'positioned as shown in Fig. 1

ary cutter I4 which is secured to the supporting member I.

The rotatively movable element |2 has a notch I5 in the periphery thereof and into which an arm IS on a lever extends. The lever I'I is pivotally supported by a pin I8 mounted on a rocker arm I9, and in this connection it is pointed out that the rocker arm has no function as far as the severing mechanism is concerned other than to support the lever I1, The rocker arm I9 is a part of the hog ring forming mechanism hereinafter described and in order to form a machine of very compact nature the lever I! is mounted on the rocker arm rather than on a separate supporting bracket.

The end of the lever IT projects to a point adjacent the disc 3 and has a lug formation 2!! engageable by a projection 2| on the disc. When engaged by the projection 2| the lever I7 is swung downwardly and the arm I6 moves the movable cutter l3 as shown in Fig. 3 to cause severance of the stock. After severance of the stock the lever I! is restored to its original position by a spring 22.

Ring forming means (Figs. 1, 2 and 5 to 9) The forward extremity of the supporting member I has a stationary jaw 30 over which the stock 9 is fed as it is advanced as above described. Rotatably mounted at 3| in the supporting member I, adjacent and above the jaw 30, is a forming head 32 which might loosely be described as being heart shape. A bending. mem ber 33 is formed on the side of a gear 34 which is rotatably and slidably mounted on a shaft 35 carried by the forming head 32, and a spring 36 acts between a washer 31 and the gear 34 to hold the gear pressed against the side of the forming head 32. An arcuate rack 38 is formed on the supporting member I and is engaged by the gear 34 in such manner that the bending member 33 is caused to rotate about its shaft 36 as the forming head 32 is swung about its support 3|.

A connecting rod 39 is pivotally attached to the forming head 32 at 49 and has its other end attached to the projection 2| on the stock feeding disc 3. Therefore, as the feeding disc 3 is rotated the forming head 32 is swung back and forth on its support 3|. Fig. 5 illustrates the position, approximately, at the beginning of the bending operation, in which position a severed length of stock 9 resides above the stationary jaw 30, beneath the forming head 32, and has the bending element 33 therebeneath. As the forming head 32 moves through the position shown in Fig. 6, the forming head 32 and the stationary jaw 3|! coact to bend one portion of the stock, and the forming head 32 and the bending member 33 coact to bend another portion. The stock is thus bent into a hog ring, which might loosely be defined as C shape, and which is referred to herein and in the claims as an open ring-like formation.

After the stock 9 has been formed into an open ring-like formation, it is shifted laterally to removeit from the forming head in order to enable the forming head to return to the position shown in Fig. 5 for a repetition of the forming operation. The means for performing this function is a part of the ring bending and closing means hereinafter described. Assuming, however, that the ring has been shifted laterally from a position encircling the forming head to the position alongside the forming head shown in Fig. 9, it

from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 5, a condition which is illustrated inFigs. 8 and9. For this reason the bending member 33 has an inclined edge 4| which engages the stock 9a and slidably shifts the gear 34 on its shaft 35 to enable the bending member to i move to a position beneath the stock.

Ring; bending or 1 Mounted at 50 on the supporting member I is a rocker arm i9, mentioned above in connection with the support of. the lever I1. The rocker arm l9 has a projecting portion engageable with a stop 52 on the supporting member I to restrict working movementithereof in one direc-..

tion, and has an end portion 53 engageable with the projection 2!! on the feeding disc 3. v

The other end 54- of the rocker arm is inclined,

and has an arm 55 pivoted at 56 thereon, and

having stops 5?. and 58 for restricting pivotal movement thereof. On the extremity of the arm above described, and the projection 2| on the feeding disc 3 is just about to engage the rocker arm end 53 As the projection ZIengagesthe end 53, the rocker arm is rocked from the posijaw 59' is at this time in engagement with the is a portion 6| shaped to. cause a dwell in the. movement of the rocker arm. That is,.the projection first. engages the rocker. armend '53 and causes movementfrom the position shown inFigt 10170 that shownin Fig. 12, and then as the the arm 55. and the rocker arm end54. results in lateral shifting of the jaw 59 from tion shown in Fig. 10 to that shown inFig. 12,

and causes the rocker armend. 54 to lower. The

open ring-like formation 9b which holds it against downward movement with the result that relative pivotal. movementtakes place between This the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 13, and causes the upper end of the ring-like formation to be movedfoif the upper end of the.

forming head 32.

On the enduof the rocker arm. 53 which is engaged by the projectionufll on the. feeding disc, 3

projection 2|. travels along the portion 6| the rocker arm remains stationary. Comparison of Fig. 12 with Fig. 8 illustrates that the forming head ,moves rapidly at the time the projection M is in engagement with. the dwell causing portion 6|, and during this movement it acts like a cam againstthe tilted ring-like formation 91) to shift the bottom portion thereof laterally. The open ring-like formation 9b is thus positioned between the jaws 3H and 59, free from the forming head 32, and inreadines's for the bending or closing operation.

This is the stage in the cycle of operation where the machine comes to rest, or, in other words, thecycle of operationis so controlled by means hereinafter described that the cycle startswith the open ring-like formation poised between the jaws Hand 58.

As the rocker arm l9is rnoved from the posiclos ing means (Figs. 1, 2 and tion shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 15 the. jaw 59 coacts with the. stationary jaw 30 in bending the ring-like formation. into a closed ring.

During movementl of the rocker arm l9 as above described the lever ll which is supported thereon will shift, slightly, but is held against.

material shifting by engagement with the cutter supporting element l2. Once the ring-like formation is compressed, the projection 2i clears therocker arm end 53, and the jaws 3B and 59 may be pulled away from the closed ring. Engagement of the projection 2| with the lug on the lever IT, with the arm Iii in engagement with the cutter supporting element I2, causes restoration of the rocker arm iii to the position shown in Fig. 10. i

It willbe noted that the jaw 59 in the position shown in Fig. 11 normally would interfere with bending of the stock about the forming head, from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in. Fig. 7. Due to the inclination of the rocker arm end 54 and the pivoted arm 55, the jaw 59 moves laterally as it moves upwardly, and therefore as the stock engages the arm 55 and movesit upwardly it shifts the jaw 59 laterally to a positionsimilarl to that shown inFig. 13. After thestock is completely bent, the spring 6B moves the jaw 59 into engagement with the formation 9b, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

It becomes apparent from the foregoing description that with each rotation of the feeding disc stock is advanced into the machine, is severed, then formed into an open ring-like formation, poised for use, and bent into a closed ring. This cycle is so arranged that themachine comes to rest with the open ring-like formation poised and upon operationof the control first closes the ring formation and then continues to operate through the different stages until another ringlike formation is poised, at which time it automatically comes to rest.

Associated with the feeding disc 3, but rotat- Operating means cmd control (Figs. 1,2, 16 and able with respect thereto, is a worm gear 18 adapted to be constantly rotated by means of a gear (notshown) operated by a flexible cable H from a remote source of power. gear 10 has a bore 12 in which a stem 13 on the disc 3'extends, and pivoted in the stem 13 is a dog '74 adapted to engagein any one of a plurality of notchesl5 in the adjacent face of the gear Ill. A spring 16 biases movement of the dog 14 in a direction to engagethe notches 75,

The worm and with the dog "M. in engagement with one Figs. 16. and 17 show the gear 18, and above described clutch at one stage in their movement, or, in other words, the clutch mechanism is engaged, and it is pointed out that the view Fig. 16 is taken from the side opposite to which moves counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 16. Asthe dog 14. is movedwith the gear 10,. it finally engages the cam-like end 80 of the arm Fig. 1 is taken, with the result that the gear l0 the stage in the cycle of the machine at which the open ring-like formation is poised.

When the lever is is manually pivoted, the

arm 19 moves in the direction of the arrow 82,

allowing the dog M to engage the face of the gear 10 and to thereafter engage in the first notch l t to present itself. A plurality of notches M are provided in order that the clutch may be engaged without waiting for more than a fraction of a revolution of the gear '10. Regardless of which notch is engaged, however, the disc 3 may only make one complete revolution and will then be automatically stopped if the control lever is released. Release of the control lever i8 is not essential to the operation, however.

The machine will continue to form and close the rings as long as the control lever is compressed and in the case of an operator sufficiently skillful to insert a poised ring to the point of use during the short period'it is poised the machine may be operated continuously.

The particular construction and correlation of the several parts and mechanisms above de-' scribed results in a machine of light weight and very compact nature, and although it constitutes the preferred arrangement, it will be understood, of course, that various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from thespirit of the invention, and such changes are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hog ring machine, a pair of relatively movable members adapted to hold a'pre-formed open ring-like formation in a poised position and operable to bend the formation into a closed ring, means disposed laterally of said members for forming a length of wire-like stock into an open ring-like formation, and means for moving a formed open ring-like formation laterally from the forming means and for placing it in a poised position between said members. i

2. In a hog ring machine, a pair of relatively movable members adapted to hold a pre-formed open ring-like formation in a poised position and operable to bend the formation into a closed ring, means for forming a length of wire-like stock into an open ring-like formation, means for moving a formed open ring-like formation from the forming means and for placing it in a poised position between said'members, and means for sequently operating said members, said forming means and said last named means. 3

3. Ina hog ring machine, a pair of relatively movable members adapted to hold a pre-formed open ring-like formation in a poised position and operable to bend the formation into a closed ring, means for forming a length of wire-like stock into an open ring-like formation, means for feeding measured lengths of stock tosaid forming means, means for moving a formed open ring-like formation from the forming means and forplacing it in a poised position between said members, operating means for sequently operating said members, said feeding means, saidforming means and said ring-like formation moving means, and automatic means for rendering the machine inoperative immediately after operation of said formation moving means.

' 4. In a ring forming machine, means for feeding. stock, means for severing the stockin meastion and operable to bend said formation into a closed ring, and means for causing relative separation of the formation and the forming means to enable bending of the formation by the bending means.

5. In a ring forming machine, means for feeding stock, means for severing the stock in measured lengths, means for forming a severed piece of stock into an open ring-like formation, bending means for receiving the formed ring-like formation and operable to bend said formation, into a closed ring, means for causing relative separation of the formation and the forming means to enable bending of the formation by the bending means, and means for causing cyclic operation of the several means" withoperation of the bending means being the first step; in the cycle and the operation of the forming means being the last correlated elements mounted on a common support and comprising ring bending means, ring forming means, ring transferring means for transferring a ring from the forming means to a position for bending by the. bending means, and means for causing cyclic. operation of all of said means with the first step in the cycle comprising operation of the ring bending means, the second step of the cycle comprising operation of the ring forming means, and the final step in the cycle comprising operation of the transferring means;

7. In a ring forming machine, a plurality of correlated elements mounted on a common support and comprising ring bending means, ring forming means, stock feeding and severing means,

ring transferring means for transferring a ring fromthe forming means tothe bending means, and means for causing-cyclic operation of all of said means with operation of the bending means the first step in the cycle, operation of the feeding and. severing. means second, operation of the forming means third and finally operation of the ring transferring means. I

8. In a hog ringmachine, a main support having a fixed jaw thereon, a rocker arm mounted'on said support and having a jaw thereon coacting with the fixed jaw in poising a pre-formed open ring-like formation, the second jaw being movable incident to rocking movement ofthe rocker arm to close said ring-like formation, means for forming an open ring-like formation between said in poising a pre-formed open ring-like formation and movable relative to the fixed jaw to bend said formation into a closed ring, a forming head pivoted on said support and having a portion coacting with the fixed jaw for bending a piece of stock interposed therebetween incident to pivotal movement of the forming head, a bending element on said forming head, means for moving said bending element incident to pivotal movement of said forming head tov bend said stock about another portion of the forming head to complete the formation of an open ring-like formation, and means for causing relative separation between the forming head and the completed open ring-like formation to enable bending of said formation intoa closed ring by movement of saidmovable aw.

- 10. In a hog ring machine, a main support having ,a fixed jaw thereon, a movable jaw mounted on said support and coacting with the fixedjawin poising a pre-formed open ring-like formation and movable relative to the fixed jaw to bend said formation into a closed ring, a forming head pivoted on said support and having a portion coacting with the fixed jaw for bending a piece of stock'interposed therebetween incident to pivotal movement of the forming head, means for feeding measured lengths of stock between said forminghead and jaw, a bending element on said forming head, means for moving said bending element incident to pivotal movement of said forming head to bend said ustock about another portion of the forming head to complete the formation of an open ring-dike formation,

and means for causing relative separation 'between the forming head and the completed open ring-like formation to enable bending of said formation into a closed ring by movement of said movable jaw.

ll. In a ring forming machine, an actuating member movable through a predetermined cycle with each operation thereof, manual means for stage in the cycle thereof, stock severing means controlling the operation of said member, means operated by said member for feeding a measured length of wire-like stock at a predetermined operatively connected to said member and operable at a-predetermined stage in the cycle thereof to sever the stock, forming means operatively connected to said member and operated thereby,

at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof to form the stock into an open ring-like formation, a pair of relatively movable jaws so disposed that b the ring-like formation is poised therebetween,

and means operatively connecting the jaws to said member for operating said jaws at a presaid formation into a closed ring.

12. In a ring forming machine, an actuating determined stage in the cycle thereof to bend 1, member movable through a predetermined cycle I with each operation thereof, means operated by said member for feeding a measured length of wire-like stock at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof, stock severing means operatively connected to said member and operable at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof to sever the stock, forming means operatively connected ,to said member and operated thereby at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof toform the stock into an open, ring-like formation, a

b said formation into aclosed ring, and a control I pair of relatively movable jaws sodisposed that the ring-like formation is poised therebetween,

and means operatively connecting the jaws to said member for operating said jaws at a pre determined stage in the cycle thereof to bend for manually starting the cycle of operation of said member and for automatically stopping said member.

13 In a ring forming machine, an actuating member movable through a predetermined cycle with each operation thereof, means operated by said member for feeding a measured length of wire-like stock at a predetermined stage inthe cycle thereof, stock severing means operatively connected to said member and, operable at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof to sever the stock, forming means operatively connected ,to said member and operatedthereby at a pre-= determined stage in the cycle thereof to form the stock into an open ring-like formation, a

pair of relatively movable jaws so disposed that the ring-like formation is poised therebetween, means operatively connecting the jaws to said member for operating said jaws at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof to bend said formation into a closed ring, and a control for manually starting the cycle of operation of said member and for automatically stopping said member at a stage in its cycle subsequent to operation of the forming means andprior to able at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof to sever the stock, forming means operatively connected tosaid member and operated thereby at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof to form the stock into an open ring-like formation, a pair of relatively movable jaws so disposed that the ring-like formation is poisedtherebetween, means for causing relative separation between the forming means and the formed open ring-likefformation, and means operatively connecting the jaws tosaid member for operating said jaws at a predetermined stage in the cycle thereof to bend said formationinto a closed ring.

15. Ina ring forming machine, a pair of relatively movable jaws adapted to hold a pro-formed open ring like formation in a poised position and operable to bend the formation into a closed ring, a feed disc for feeding wire-like stock betweenthe jaws, stoc-k severing means operated by, said feed disc, and means for bending-a severed piece of stock into an open ring-like formation and for disposing it between said laws.

16. Ina ring forming machine, a pair of relatively movable jaws adapted to holda pre-formed open ring-like formation in a poised position and operable to bend the formation into a closed ring, a feed disc for feeding wire-like stock between the jaws, stock holding means rendered operative and inoperative by said feed disc, stock severing means operated by said feed disc, and

means for bending a severed piece of stock into an open ring-like formation and for disposing it between said jaws.

17. In a ring forming maohina'a pair ofrelatively movable jaws adapted to hold a pre-formed open ring-like formation in a poised position and operable to bend the formation into a closed ring, a feed disc for feeding wire-like stock betweenv the jaws, stock-severing means operated by said feed disc, means forbending a severed piece of stock into an open ring-like formation and for disposing it between said jaws, and

means for causing relative separation between a formed open ring-like formation and the bending means to enable the jaws to bend said formationflinto a closed ring.

, JULIUS JORGENSEN. 

